Data & Development Lead

Data & Development Lead
Location: Bicester
Salary: £90,000
Working Pattern: 3 days per week in the office (flexible working available)

About the Role
A leading professional services organisation is seeking a Data & Development Lead to provide hands-on technical leadership within their Data & Innovation team. This is a unique opportunity for a technically strong data engineer who has progressed into leadership, but who still enjoys and excels at hands-on delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and direct management to a team of three technical specialists (including BI analysts and a systems developer).
• Remain actively involved in hands-on data engineering and systems development work, supporting the team and stepping in as needed.
• Define and maintain scalable, modern data and systems architecture, ensuring alignment with business needs and strategy.
• Lead the design and delivery of complex engineering solutions, setting technical direction and ensuring best practices.
• Mentor and develop team members, supporting their progression into more senior and technical roles.
• Collaborate closely with IT Operations, business stakeholders, and the broader Data & Innovation team to deliver impactful solutions.
• Ensure cohesive and maintainable system design and integration across the team's projects.

What We're Looking For

• Deep technical expertise in data engineering and system development, particularly with Databricks and Microsoft technologies (Azure, Power Platform, M365).
• Experience with SaaS applications such as Workday and (url removed) is desirable.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor small, agile technical teams-ideally having worked your way up from a hands-on engineering background.
• Comfortable balancing hands-on technical work with strategic planning and leadership.
• Strong understanding of data integration, automation, and system design.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder, and team engagement skills.
• A collaborative approach-someone who enjoys developing others and is not focused solely on their own achievements.

The Ideal Candidate

• Has not spent their entire career in senior management; instead, brings recent, relevant hands-on data engineering experience.
• Enjoys both "doing" and "leading"-able to step in and cover for team members when needed.
• Brings a people-first mindset, with a passion for mentoring and developing others.
• Is comfortable working in a flexible, hybrid environment.

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to shape and deliver the data and systems landscape for a forward-thinking organisation.
• Work with a talented, collaborative team and play a key role in their development.
• Competitive salary and flexible working arrangements.